NewsOne Minute: Bill Cosby Resigns from Temple’s Board of Trustees

Comedian Bill Cosby introduces the film ‘Fat Albert’ at Temple University’s Liacouras Center for the world premiere of ‘Fat Albert’ December 12, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.(Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

Temple University recently released a statement confirming that Bill Cosby has decided to resign from the institution’s board of trustees. Cosby, who attended the Philadelphia-based college decades ago, has served on their board since the 1980s. He publicly shared that he would be resigning, claiming that he wants to do what is in the best interest of the students. “I have always been proud of my association with Temple University,” Cosby said in the statement. “I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students. As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees.” Other universities have severed their ties with Cosby following the sexual assault allegations against him including the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he received his graduate degrees in education. Read more.

Campaign Capitalize the “B” in Black When Referring to Black Americans. Always.

Change.org recently released a petition against the The New York Times and AP Stylebook so that the letter “B” in the word “black” is capitalized when referring to African Americans. Writer and academic Lori Tharps, who wrote the petition, notes that it took W.E.B. Du Bois almost five years and 700 letters of protest to get the Times and other major magazines and newspapers to agree to capitalize the “N” in Negro in 1930. The petition points out that other cultures, including Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans, are spelled with a capital letter. The petition notes that writing the word “black” with a lowercase “b” when referring to African Americans is “second-class citizenry and disrespect.” “This could be viewed as a simple style issue, one that only writers and editors would take seriously, but I’m not looking to start a revolution over grammar. This is about identity and respect,” she wrote. Read more.

Rams Deny Apology to St. Louis Police Officers Association

If the St. Louis Police Officers Association expected to get an apology for the five Rams players who staged a silent protest in support of Michael Brown supporters, they’ll be waiting forever. Although the team has reached out to different police departments in Ferguson to smooth things over with law enforcement officials, they have not apologized for the protest and don’t plan on doing so. “We expressed our respect for their concerns surrounding yesterday’s game,” the Rams said in a statement. “What has transpired over the past four months is a tragedy that has impacted our entire community. Together we are beginning a healing process that will require time, energy and honest dialogue. The Rams will continue to build on what have always been strong and valued relationships with local law enforcement and the greater St. Louis community as we come together to help heal our region.” The NFL has also shown support of the players who staged the protest, releasing a separate statement saying “We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation.” Read more.